person Hester is, when the narrator states "Hester's natureshowed itself warm and rich; a well-spring of human tenderness." Withher nature revealed as naturally loving, it is easy to see why she is sodevoted to Dimmesdale. Later, just before she tells Dimmesdale about thethreat living in his own house, the narrator refers to Dimmesdale as theman she "still so passionately loved." As revealed by the narrator after Hester stands with Dimmesdale on the scaffold when the scarlet letterappears in the sky, "She decided, moreover, that he had a right to herutmost aid...Hester saw--or seemed to see--that there lay a responsibilityupon her, in reference to the clergyman, which she owed to no other, nor tothe whole world besides." Apparently, she even values him more than herown daughter Pearl. The question posed is whether or not her love is returned. In otherwords, does this man, Dimmesdale, feel the same love for Hester thatHester obviously feels for him? Throughout the story, Dimmesdale givesevery indication that he does not truly love Hester. The first indication ishis refusal to admit guilt and to stand with Hester and help support herdaughter Pearl. One of the ministers at Hester's public questioning, JohnWilson, quotes Dimmesdale as opposing him "with a young man's over- softness" by saying "that it were wronging the very nature of woman toforce her to lay open her heart's secrets in such broad daylight, and in thepresence of so great a multitude." He thinks that Dimmesdale is beingsensitive to Hester's feelings, when he is in fact protecting himself. He isworried that, if pushed too hard, Hester might reveal his identity. He doesnot do this out of a fear for his life, but instead out of a fear of losing hisposition of respect. After she refused to speak, Dimmesdale "drew back,with a long respiration. 'Wondrous strength and generosity of a woman'sheart! She will not speak!'." He is obviously very relieved that she would not reveal his rol...
